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Eavesdrop

//ˈivzˌdɹɑp// noun, verb

Definitions

Noun

1
The dripping of rain from the eaves of a house. countable, uncountable
2
The space around a house on which such water drips. countable, uncountable
3
A concealed aperture through which an occupant of a building can surreptitiously listen to people talking at an entrance to the building. countable
4
The act of intentionally hearing a conversation not intended to be heard. countable
"Were you having a little eavesdrop on us last night?"

Verb

1
To hear (intentionally) a conversation one is not intended to hear; to listen in. ambitransitive
"I hope nobody was eavesdropping on our conversation last night, since it got so personal."
2
listen without the speaker's knowledge wordnet
3
To listen for another organism's calls, so as to exploit them.
"[…] Eastern Red Bat will eavesdrop on the sonar calls of other red bats to locate potential insect prey."

Etymology

Etymology 1

From eaves + drop; the "listening" sense derives from the notion of the listener standing in the area denoted by the physical sense.

Etymology 2

From eaves + drop; the "listening" sense derives from the notion of the listener standing in the area denoted by the physical sense.

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